FREEMAN'S -- A RAVE I rarely write reviews. But when a place earns it, I want to make the effort. Freeman's is not easy to find, and I suspect that's partly the point. You turn off the street into what looks like an alley you'd normally walk past without a second thought -- and then it opens up into something else entirely. Every inch of wall and pavement covered in graffiti, an explosion of color and design and creativity that stops you mid-step. You walk the length of it and by the time you reach the end, you've already left the city behind. Turn left, and there it is: tucked away, waiting. Inside, it's a world unto itself. Think Audubon meets naturalist museum meets the eccentric, beloved home of someone with eclectic taste and no interest in explaining themselves. Every room is different. Warm lighting, worn wooden tables, glass cases filled with things that reward looking at. You move through the space and keep finding more of it -- new details, new rooms, new reasons to slow down. It feels genuinely old, in the way that only places that have actually lived feel old. All of that would be enough. But then the food. We had brunch, and I'll say this: I can always tell by the salad. If it's perfunctory -- just going through the motions -- you know what you're in for. But if there's real care in it, if the lettuce is soft and buttery and the dressing is something you want more of, then you relax into the meal differently. The salad at Freeman's told me everything I needed to know. What followed confirmed it. The pancakes were the best I've had. The poached eggs -- perfectly executed, with a flavor I'm still thinking about -- were the best I've ever had, full stop. The cocktail was excellent. Everything was. Our server Kylie was funny, warm, and genuinely present -- the kind of energy that gives a place its extra dimension. And when we finished and my wife went to share how much we'd enjoyed ourselves, the manager Loni (apologies if the spelling is off) offered to take us on a tour. Rooms we hadn't found. Staircases. Spaces that close off and become invisible. A whole magical maze of the place revealing itself -- event spaces, private rooms, corners we would never have discovered on our own. My wife and I left already planning our return. Not just for dinner, but for something -- a gathering of friends, an occasion that deserves a place this special. Go. Take someone you want to share something special with. And don't walk past the alley. read more

Three stars because the cocktails were perfect, the decor was awesome, and the alley was very cool. We had a table by the door and my husband was distracted by all the photo shoots going on in the alley behind us the whole time which was very cool. The food was unfortunately god awful. I don't like to complain in person but would have if the server asked us but we think she probably knew. The food was too salty yet bland at the same time. Their heritage pork-chop is served with very dilly pickle sticks and what seemed to be "cabbage in a water reduction". ACV could have helped. It tasted like the water used to m wash out whatever is stuck in the pan after searing. The restaurant was PACKED with children. Probably because their macaroni and cheese is out of this world. But in our section children outnumbered adults which made for very stilted dinner conversation between me and my husband. I went here as a child/teenager so I tried to have a good attitude about that. To be fair all the children here were very well parented. The recessed alley, the taxidermied heads and reclaimed wood, the bathrooms all over the place seemed promising. There was a moment before mains were served that I had hoped this could become a regular spot. The food was just so bad idk if we can come back. Salty and bland. read more

Tucked away at the end of Freemans Alley, Freemans has been a long time standing restaurant serving American food. Stopped by on a weekend and had a good time! The hot artichoke dip was very addicting! Its very savory and maybe a little of fishiness from the tuna bites. I just wish the bread was either crunchier or chewy/warmer since they were kinda in the middle. For mains, the amish chicken was well-seasoned and very tender/juicy. I think the black garlic jus was a tad sweet for me; however I loved the nicely done maitake and the mashed potatoes with a spiced breadcrumb on top. The trout was also very tender and well seasoned. The salsa verde paired well with the fish and had a good balance of salt, tanginess, and herbs. The pickled fennel added another textural contrast and different type of tanginess but I felt like the ratio was too much. The heirloom carrots were roasted thoroughly without losing their crunch. I wish there was more harissa yogurt cause it was tasty! I really enjoyed dining in the restaurant with the rustic, antique American decor and dim lighting. Service was initially slightly slow due to an issue with our server's other table but otherwise staff members were polite. They have a range of table and bar seating. read more

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Stopped into Freeman's again for their burger. The more I have the burger, the more the sauce kinda reminds me of Big Mac sauce (in a good way). Big, juicy, filling, with a ton of fries (though their fries aren't my favorite). As always, the drinks are delicious and they are within a couple of weeks of changing to a whole new menu. I love it when a place keeps it fresh. While the drink menu changes, the food menu is mostly the same. Burger, popular chicken club (a business lunch of nine all ordered the club while I was there). Entrees include steak and salmon. Lots of shareable apps. Charles was my bartender (I've had him before) and is always personable and attentive and fun to talk to. Again, this place can get crowded, but if you stop in early on a weekday, 11 AM or noon or so, you'll mostly have it to yourself. read more

This place is a true gem in Nolita--a wonderful spot to grab a drink with friends. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff is very attentive. My go-to dish is the meatball and burrata--it's packed with flavor and pairs perfectly with a glass of wine. read more

Tucked in the back of an unusual alley way in NYC's Bowery is Freeman's.A hidden gem not to be taken lightly and here's to a unique restaurant in NY. I met three of my old roommates and friends for 30 years here for dinner last week and was pleasantly surprised by the beautiful decor and atmosphere. We had a table upstairs and it felt like you were at a lodge in Montana! The waitress was great and we ordered some special cocktails, beers and delicious but expensive food We had artichoke dip with plenty of sliced toasted bread, side of fries , broccoli rabe and the Porterhouse for '4' at $225. To be honest it was pretty small and I was starving at the end of the evening after dropping a good amount of money - Next time I'll stick with the entrees and some beers but will take my wife back for a special date night - it is unique and the decor is quite rustic yet elegant read more

Freemans - Porterhouse Special Steak for four (4) people - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Food was great! I would come back for the food but we didn't have a good experience with our waiter. We waited literally almost an hour for our food to come out meanwhile other tables that came after us were being served first. I even had a reservation and everything so it's not like we were walk ins. Even before our food came out we were being told to put in last orders for the kitchen because it was 3:30 and brunch was ending meanwhile we had been sitting since 2:45 without food. If we go back again we hope to have a better experience with a different staff member because the food all had good flavor and we liked what we got. read more

Freemans - Eggs Benedict - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

My friend and I stayed at the hotel right next door and knew we wanted to stop in to the restaurant but we didn't have reservations. Our friend was able to hold us seats at the bar and I am so glad she did! Initially we just planned on staying for drinks so we split the oysters (sooo tasty) and cocktails (gone too soon!) My friend ordered the Mortimer's Manhattan and I was blown away. I highly recommend trying it. It was unique and so tasty. The bartenders here are amazing. They've really created some delicious cocktails. I enjoyed everything I ordered. We started with oysters and my friend ended up ordering more because they were gone so fast. Then we split the tuna tartare & the half Amish chicken. We were both so full by the end of it! We really enjoyed every bite...so much so that we came back two days later to try out their brunch! Let me tell you, that Nashville Hot Chicken could easily be split between at least two people. It was huge! I was traveling with a friend from Nashville and she said it was the best Nashville Hot Chicken she's had! I recommend getting reservations if you can. This spot has a really lovely rustic feel to it and the staff that we interacted with were all lovely. read more

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Rounding up to 5 here because my friend I dined with said the food is usually better than we experienced. The space is so cute and cozy and really a nice respite after a crazy day running around New York. We shared a steak frites with a couple of veggie sides and two starters. The drinks were good especially my French 75. The biggest disappointment food wise was the veggies. They sounded so flavorful and unique but both the broccoli and the carrots were pretty bland which was a bummer. The steak frites was solid, not amazing. The devils on horseback were great, what's not to like?!?! Service was totally fine. Would definitely return. I'm a little surprised to see such conflicting reviews! read more

The interior is really cute and cozy. We sat upstairs for Sunday brunch. The menu is big and had a lot of options to choose from. We ordered many things to try and share. The best item was the maple pancakes. Fluffy pancakes with maple walnut butter on top! It was the tablets favorite item!!! And fries were crispy. My friend said the English breakfast was tasty- I didn't try that. Everything else was mid: -Drinks were not strong - coffee/ latte/ and cocktails. -food was just okay. -service was also just okay, I didn't feel that our waiter was friendly or anything. -we were excited to try their stock toffee pudding but it wasn't hot enough. read more

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Came here for a big brunch on a Saturday. We did not have a reservation, but only had to wait about 25-30 minutes which wasn't bad at all. The space inside is massive, with many rooms and multiple floors. All of them have a rustic, hunting lodge style theme going on with taxidermy deer heads all over. For food, we got different breakfast options as well as sourdough French toast to share (because they were out of sourdough pancakes ). I LOVED the Nashville chicken and waffles- they had an amazing crunch and good spice as well. It was almost too much food even though I was hungry, as the proportions are quite generous. The English breakfast and burger looked really good too. Overall, I definitely recommend this place for brunch- but come hungry! read more

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came here on a Saturday for dinner and we were able to get a reservation last minute which I was excited about as this restaurant has been on my list of places to eat for a while! The ambiance and aesthetic is amazing. It's incredibly cozy and warm which I loved. The service was great. But unfortunately the steak frites was such a disappointment. I asked for a medium rare steak and it was pretty dry and difficult to cut into it. I should've said something but it tasted ok. Just overpriced and overrated considering it's supposed to be cooked really nicely. The pork chops and carrots were fine though. I would not come back for dinner. read more

Freemans - Steak Frites - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Really enjoyed it. We were in the LES and this was recommended. We sat at the front window so I could watch everyone doing literal photo shoots in the graffiti alley. The restaurant is a juxtaposition to that, though- reminds me of a early 1900s lodge. I started with roasted carrots atop a spicy sauce and topped with pistachios. Hubs liked his 1/2 dozen oysters and steak frite. My whole trout was delicious- came with a salsa verde and lemon. Fresh and bright tasting. The Freeman's cocktail was deliciously orangey. Service was prompt and attentive. Prices were what I'd expect for Manhattan. read more

A couple of months ago I stopped by here with a longtime friend from my youth just to check it and the alley out. Even though we were not going to eat, we were warmly welcomed and shown the restaurant by Alyssa. After that positive experience, we decided that this would be the next stop in our every month or so lunch Yesterday we returned for that lunch and the experience was equally impressive. We were greeted and seated by friendly Willa and served by Myles who knew to do the little things that make a good dining experiences into a great one. More on that later! We ordered a burger and a chicken bacon club sandwich. Because we had told Myles we couldn't make up our minds and were going to split the entrees, she (without our having to ask) had the kitchen cut both sandwiches in half before serving them. The burger was full size and flavorful (perhaps cooked a bit more than what I had hoped medium rare would be but still excellent) and the chicken club sandwich delicious. The club sandwich came with salad and the burger with fries. I am not usually overly enthusiastic about fries, but these were amazing - fresh, hot and flavorful! Thank you Freemans for an outstanding culinary experience! *I apologize if I did not spell the names of those to whom I gave shout outs! :-) read more

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This place is an amazing find! Friendly and warm staff, the ambiance is charming, and classic, and the food was so filling! I had the apple cinnamon French toast! Each bite was mouth watering delicious! I cannot wait to venture back! read more

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This is a restaurant down a hidden alley in NY. Give yourself extra time to find it especially if you're new to the area. The restaurant is in a unique setting with small tables and old wooden chairs. Its dimly lit and in a very relaxed casual setting. Jim was our waiting and fantastic and very patient with us as we decided our drink orders and our food orders. The bacon wrapped backs are not developed deviled eggs but a unique treat to try. The spinach artichoke dip is very cheesy and filling. The steak frites was by far the best main course. It was cooked perfectly and absolutely tender. Reservations are a must! Great place for special occasions. read more

Incredible experience. Walking down the alley to this restaurant makes me feel like I was in a different city. The decor and vibe is 10/10. Sometimes the wait is long, but the food is good and it's a lovely Sunday night with friends. read more

I had a reservation for 3 but was easily update it for 4 the morning of. This place was kind of hard to find... it's located at the end of Freeman Alley which is by Rivington street. You have to walk through the entire graffiti alley to get to the restaurant at the end. It's very "dark" and cozy inside. Lots of wood and it's giving rustic vibe. My friends and I were seated upstairs and it was basically a private dining room bechase no one else was with us. We got: - latte -black coffee - Norwegian Benedict (x2): I liked this a lot! The side salad was perfectly dressed. I do love a good eggs or salmon Benedict and this did not disappoint - Caesar salad with chicken - avocado toast: this looked hearty but hard to eat/cut I would come back again! read more

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The host was especially friendly and could seat me right away. I wasn't loving how long I had to wait for my friend and they were really understanding. They allowed me to take up the table. My friend didn't love the French provincial vibe of the space but that's on him. I've loved this spot for many years. I was surprised the alley itself changing. It's made it feel gimmicky unfortunately. They should have real artists put up work instead of graffiti. Our server was only nice after we ordered a ton more food and champagne, so the service was meh. read more

Freemans - Tuna Tartare - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here for brunch and immediately loved the cozy, rustic atmosphere. Feels like eating in a warm mountain cabin. We started with the Devils on Horseback, they were just okay. The bacon was a bit undercooked for my taste; I was hoping for a crispier texture. Probably wouldn't order that again. The Caesar salad, on the other hand, was amazing. The dressing was so flavorful. We split the chicken club sandwich alongside it, and it was really tasty. Even the side salad that came with the sandwich had a great dressing, clearly they know their way around a good vinaigrette. I ordered a Bloody Mary, which was spiced well and tasty, but I was expecting a few more fun toppings. Still good, just a bit plain in presentation. For dessert, we tried the toffee dessert, and I would definitely recommend it! It was delicious, though a bit on the smaller side if you're planning to share. Service was great our server was super friendly and attentive, which added to the whole experience. Overall, a nice brunch spot with great food, great service, and a cozy, welcoming vibe. I'd come back again just for that Caesar salad and to try more of the menu! read more

I made it for the brunch menu, and although the brunch menu isn't as vast as the regular menu, the food was delicious. I tried the artichoke dip which was pleasantly surprising because it was still tasty without being greasy the way artichoke dips are typically thought of. Then I tried the Nashville hot fried chicken and waffles. The chicken was absolutely out of this world. It includes two huge breasts perfectly fried and breaded in amazing hot sauce that was just as tasty as it was spicy. The waffles only had 3 out of the typical 4 pieces tou would expect a waffle to come with. Then, we tries the cheeseburger which was absolutely terrific and left me wondering where they source their meat from. The only issue was that the fries were less than I was expecting from a dish whose only side was the fries, and they were a bit soft/soggy. I also had to request mustard to go with the pretzel bun, and although they had the perfect mustard accompaniment in the form of Dijon mustard, I wish it would've come with the pretzel bun already instead of having to wait until the last two bites to get it. The service, albeit during the brunch-to-dinner turnover, was still pretty good, although we had to ask for the drinks menu. The ambiance was absolutely gorgeous, and very well almost carried my grade there to a 5 on its merit alone. It has a very old-timey feel with gorgeous lighting at the end of what is known as "Freeman's alley" in downtown Manhattan/chinatown. There is a gorgeous long running mural of paintings along the entirety of the alley leading up to the front doors. The ambiance and decor is enough to gain your attention, but the food does not disappoint either, aside from a few things here and there that could easily elevate this "secret nook" even higher tha it already is. read more

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Definitely a hidden gem at the end of an alley. Service was alright but I really liked the ambiance of the place. It seems perfect for a date night or place to meet up with friends. The macaroni was really good and was a white cheese sauce which was done really well. The Caesar salad was also really good but needed pepper which wasn't offered or available at the table. Overall it was good food, decent drinks, great vibe, and okay service. read more

Freemans - Macaroni - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Delicious food! The best chicken club sandwich with killer garlic aioli! Great location at the end of Freemans Alley. Then a visit to the Tenement Museum. Perfect afternoon. read more

Service was impeccable! We unfortunately had to bump our reservation by 45 minutes and they were so accommodating our table was lovely. It's so warm and cozy inside it was the perfect evening. We had a delicious bottle of wine as recommended by our lovely waitress. Then we went to town on the macaroni and cheese, which you cannot sleep on. It is important the delicious half chicken which we thought we would be able to finish but could not and I brought home for lunch today. The carrots, which were absolutely unreal with the pistachio Crema and the fries, which are hard to fail, and they did not disappoint. Also our lovely waitress recommended dessert, which is never something that I ordered, but the table spoke, and I listened, and we went with the English toffee pudding, which was absolutely to die for. I wanted to lick the bowl! read more

I'm leaving this review as a warning to other diners. On February 1, 2026, my $930 GANNI coat was stolen while I was seated at the back bar. A staff member directed me to hang it on an exposed wall hook near the bathroom corridor -- I was not informed of more secure hooks located under the bar. The restaurant had CCTV footage of the theft and the suspect, which was reviewed by management and shared with me directly. Despite this, when NYPD inquired, they were told no footage existed. I have contacted Freeman's numerous times over several weeks via email, phone, and formal written notice to its owners. I have received no response whatsoever.I am now pursuing this through small claims court. For a restaurant that charges $100-$150 per person, I find it shocking that they cannot secure their own building, instruct customers to use an exposed communal coat rack, and allow random individuals to walk in off the street and rob their guests. A paying customer who followed staff instructions should not have to absorb a $1,000 loss with zero acknowledgment or response from management. Do not bring anything of value here. If you are robbed, you will be ignored. See their CCTV of me being robbed attached. read more

Freemans - My coat being stolen at the back bar while I had a drink at the back bar. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

We were staying at Public around the corner so Freemans was perfect location wise. We were greeted immediately by the host upon entering and made to feel like we were wanted there. We had reservations and were seated promptly. Our waitress was attentive to us and our needs. We got these salted walnut pancakes, chilaquiles and 2 drinks beyond the water offered. Those pancakes were absolutely amazing and my husband loved the chilaquiles the most. Our bill for 2 entrees and 2 drinks came to around $90, not terrible for NYC brunch. I would definitely recommend Freemans for brunch! read more

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Had a very nice brunch at Freeman's. The restaurant is down a pretty unique alley, making for an intriguing location. The restaurant itself is beautiful, rustic and elegant, with multiple rooms, making it feel like you are dining at an old hunting lodge. Service was excellent, we did get there a few minutes before our 11am reservation and walked in, but were quickly kicked out because they were not open yet and were having a meeting. It was below freezing out, I think they could have let us wait in a corner somewhere, or at least be a little more polite about it. That was a minor point though, our waiter was excellent and very friendly. And the brunch food was very good (as were our mimosas and Bellinis). French toast and pancakes were excellent, and the bourbon maple syrup was very good. Wanted to try the sticky toffee pudding but unfortunately they didn't have any, but the flourless chocolate cake was excellent, rich but not too sweet. read more

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Freemans is such a fun spot to bring people who are visiting the city. I especially love their brunch!

Food was decent, nothing to write home about. The vegetarian options could have been better. I wish there was at least one more vegetarian entree. read more

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The vibe is great. The rooms are fabulous. Its hunter's lodge meets Bowery Hotel. The food is excellent. Very rich. Go hungry. Or if you're not hungry share. Very filling portions. Very rich n tasty dishes. It's a loud room tho so if you're hard of hearing it ain't the place for you. The bartender is crafting excellent cocktails. It is a pricey restaurant but where isn't. But a chicken dish is about $30something and a steak frites is $58. Etc. So take your trust fund. But walking down the alley to the restaurant is very cool. And def check out the hipster hotel next door with a very cool rooftop bar. Yeah this place is a good time !! Do it !!! read more

Freemans - The hipster hotel next door. - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Borderline predatory behavior - I booked a large group dinner here (15 people) as part of a team offsite and was required to put a large deposit down. There is a huge blizzard in New York right now and all of our flights were canceled, there is literally no way for us to get to the city for our offsite and for the dinner. It is fully outside of our control. I didn't even ask for a refund - I just asked if we could please move the reservation to the new date of our offsite (less than a month away). Their director of private events, Lina Mark, said they are unwilling to do so. Again...did not even ask for a refund, simply asked to move the date, which felt reasonable. Absolutely abhorrent way to do business, especially in the hospitality space. read more

Excellent find on the Lower East Side. We celebrated a birthday and an early Christmas get together over brunch yesterday at Freemans. It had a warm and inviting atmosphere and the host sat us very quickly when we arrived. Entry to Freemans is via Freemans Alley which had a very cool vibe to walk through. It was freezing outside and it was brunch so we started out with a classic Bloody Mary after sitting down and getting comfortable. The menu offered a variety of brunchy dishes. At our table, we ordered two English Breakfasts and one burger. All were devoured. :) The server was very nice, prompt and accommodating. After the meal, they offered us a complimentary glass of "bubbles" for the birthday at the table which was very nice of them. We thoroughly enjoyed Freemans and recommend you try it. We'll be back for sure. Cheers! read more

Having been here many times over the years I was excited when a friend chose to celebrate her birthday here. The restaurant is dimly lit and decorated with taxidermy in a shabby chic sort of way. The food is always elevated and well prepared. The servers are knowledgeable about the menu and the wine list. The salmon stood out as the best dish and we enjoyed the entire evening. A little out of the way for us to be regulars but we manage to pop in now and again. read more

Freemans - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

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Probably one of the most disappointing restaurants that could exist at the end of this alleyway. Uninteresting American menu featuring prices from the land of make believe, like $17 mocktails. Flourless chocolate cake was laughable. Cavatelli just a cream and fat explosion. Trout very good. read more

Wow!!!!!!! Please please do yourself a favor and visit this beautiful delicious establishment! The hidden graffiti filled alley way was neat. Then entering the restaurant was a very unique change with dim lighting and a hunting lodge charming kind of vibe we loved! Sat at the bar in the back and the waitress was amazing. Very sweet to talk to as she answered a lot of our questions about the area. We had the "devil on horseback dish" as a starter. Sounds weird but trust me! All the food was great. Lattes were amazingly simple but delish! We will be back. Forgot to take pics. So sorry! read more

Came in with a reservation on a saturday with 5 people. The restaurant is tucked away down Freeman's alley and is cozy inside. The trains were out of whack and half our party was very late, but they were excellent and accommodating! We had the english breakfast plate, the housemade granola bowl, sourdough pancakes, and the kale caesar. All were a good portion and and very tasty. The beans on the english breakfast were particularly tasty, as was the housemade granola. Definitely a cute spot worth coming out to! read more

Freemans - English Breakfast Plate - Breakfast & Brunch Near Me - New York, New York

Be forewarned when dining here, it is hit or miss. the 4 star reviews are just as valid as the 1 star reviews. We went here recently with a large group and ordered a plethora of items. You would think that would be where mistakes were made, but no. Everything went well. Food was terrific (although my burger was overcooked) and the service was quite good, for NYC. NYC is struggling with service staff in restaurants the past few years but seems to be turning a corner. We went back just 2 of us for brunch about 2 weeks later and the food was terrible. The service from the hostess to the server to the back of house were a miss. At $100 for 2 for a brunch WITHOUT drinks ill say- we will NEVER be back and will surely let everyone we know to just give this place a pass. Leave it for the tourists and sycophants. medium rare burger- cooked well done (they still can't achieve any temp but well done & forgot extra pickles & cheese. Bun was over cooked and bland. French toast- dry and massively overcooked & crunchy. whipped cream lacked any sugar (kitchen told the server that's how its supposed to be) liar. side of bacon- a few small broken pieces for $13 chicken & waffles- waffles cold and off. chicken over cooked and dry. read more

While the service and the place is great with nice booths and such, the food is over rated (wrong price to value). For this price I would expect much more flavorful meals. Lots of choices yes but they were of quality of a regular diner and not a restaurant of the price requested. read more

Definitely recommend this restaurant! Tucked down an alley with a warm, cozy interior and friendly staff. We sat at the bar and had a great time. Great recommendations from the bartender; the devils on horseback were amazing, the drinks great. Will certainly be back our next time in NYC. read more

Delicious food, excellent service and amazing ambiance - especially the beautiful decor.